A phrase that's been on my mind lately. It's so much better to be thankful for the good things in life than worry about the problems or challenges. At the end of the day, worrying doesn't change anything.
Suzanne, Liya-Jean and I just got back from EPEG (European Pastors Equipping Gathering) in Edinburgh. I was great. I love connecting with our church family from all over Europe: Marseille, Madrid, Innsbruck, Dublin, Edinburgh, Berlin, Krakow, Salzburg, Gent and even Moscow! Speaking of Moscow, we'll hopefully have the opportunity to go visit our friends there soon - that would be really awesome!
Anyway, things are going really well. I'm excited about new ideas and processes for church, but most of all that I can be confident to walk in the good works that have been prepared for us.
God bless you
Tuesday, 29 May 2012
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Revive me!
That's what I feel this blog is screaming. So I thought why not... let's fire it up again.
Things are going really well with the Albrecht family. 2012 has started with a bang! Among other things, I went to Austria for a few days with the Every Nation Europe pastors just to hang out and catch up. It was really good. I also had the opportunity to do some snowboarding and I'm hoping to get a call to start a church in the Alps as a result :). Suzanne is doing more aerobics classes and is working at the coffee shop only 3 days a week now. Our goal is for her to have enough regular classes to stop working at the shop altogether. Liya-Jean is becoming a not only walking, but also talking member of the family. Her favourite words are 'mammie' (mommy), 'mammie' and 'mammie'... with a very occasional 'pappie' (daddy) and 'amen'!
The church is also doing really well. Services have been full with a great vibe every Sunday. We've got a few new people coming along, which is awesome, especially because some of them are new Christians. We are running around quite a bit though, as we've got a lot of things happening at the moment. One of these is an outreach mission to Marseille, France, in March, which I'm organising. I'm really excited about it... and not only because France is the mother of the croissant.
One of the things I've been thinking about is that we should start every day strong. For me that means connecting with God before everything else starts (funny, that's more or less what I spoke about in the previous post 4 months ago). It just helps me deal with everything differently, knowing that I'm going through the day with Him helping me every step of the day. And I think that's what it means to start strong, to start the day in such a way that I'm conscious of God's presence throughout the whole day, as opposed to having a few minutes with Him in the morning and then moving on to do everything on my own for the rest of the day.
It's something I'm working towards anyway... maybe something to think about.
Peace to you
Things are going really well with the Albrecht family. 2012 has started with a bang! Among other things, I went to Austria for a few days with the Every Nation Europe pastors just to hang out and catch up. It was really good. I also had the opportunity to do some snowboarding and I'm hoping to get a call to start a church in the Alps as a result :). Suzanne is doing more aerobics classes and is working at the coffee shop only 3 days a week now. Our goal is for her to have enough regular classes to stop working at the shop altogether. Liya-Jean is becoming a not only walking, but also talking member of the family. Her favourite words are 'mammie' (mommy), 'mammie' and 'mammie'... with a very occasional 'pappie' (daddy) and 'amen'!
The church is also doing really well. Services have been full with a great vibe every Sunday. We've got a few new people coming along, which is awesome, especially because some of them are new Christians. We are running around quite a bit though, as we've got a lot of things happening at the moment. One of these is an outreach mission to Marseille, France, in March, which I'm organising. I'm really excited about it... and not only because France is the mother of the croissant.
One of the things I've been thinking about is that we should start every day strong. For me that means connecting with God before everything else starts (funny, that's more or less what I spoke about in the previous post 4 months ago). It just helps me deal with everything differently, knowing that I'm going through the day with Him helping me every step of the day. And I think that's what it means to start strong, to start the day in such a way that I'm conscious of God's presence throughout the whole day, as opposed to having a few minutes with Him in the morning and then moving on to do everything on my own for the rest of the day.
It's something I'm working towards anyway... maybe something to think about.
Peace to you
Monday, 17 October 2011
Good morning, World!
I'm starting to love my new routine of getting up bright and early, not always so bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, but moving in the right direction at least. I decided that being woken up by a baby isn't really the way I want to start the day - I say woken up, but what I really mean is sleepwalking to Liya-Jean's room, fetching her and letting her 'play' in our bedroom for however long it takes for us to 'rise again' - so I'm trying to beat her to it. We're really fortunate though as she normally doesn't wake up before 7am.
I'm also loving ibethel.tv. They upload the weekend's worship set ready for Monday morning. A great resource.
If praying is your thing, please pray for us here in Slough, especially Every Nation Slough. I feel we're on the brink of a new season, which is always associated with some sort of resistance (sometimes that's the best way of telling you're close to breakthrough). We've been experiencing a real weariness over the past few weeks even though we've been excited about what's ahead. My radical insight into the situation is that we just have to stay submitted to God, resist the devil and wait for him to go running. So, please pray along those lines. Muchas gracias!
Oh, I'm getting ready to lead an outreach to Spain next week. So please pray for that as well. Open doors and open hearts.
Peace to you!
I'm also loving ibethel.tv. They upload the weekend's worship set ready for Monday morning. A great resource.
If praying is your thing, please pray for us here in Slough, especially Every Nation Slough. I feel we're on the brink of a new season, which is always associated with some sort of resistance (sometimes that's the best way of telling you're close to breakthrough). We've been experiencing a real weariness over the past few weeks even though we've been excited about what's ahead. My radical insight into the situation is that we just have to stay submitted to God, resist the devil and wait for him to go running. So, please pray along those lines. Muchas gracias!
Oh, I'm getting ready to lead an outreach to Spain next week. So please pray for that as well. Open doors and open hearts.
Peace to you!
Friday, 7 October 2011
Finally!
After months of promises and walking around with loads of guilt and condemnation, I have finally updated the photos and videos on our blog! It feels good, although I'm not sure it was worth it... It's never good to spend too much time on the laptop on our family day!
Anyway, things are going really great in Slough. We are very happy and enjoying our daughter so much. We have had to force ourselves to get into a new rhythm as Suzanne went back to work about a month ago. She's back at the coffee shop in the mornings and does about 4 or 5 aerobics (I'm actually not supposed to call it that) classes a day. This means that I have the baby during the mornings, which is great for bonding, but not so much for productivity. So I'm spending more time working in the evening, etc. I think we're getting there...
Church-wise, things are also really good. There is a real sense of experiencing God in a deeper way, which is totally awesome. I am more and more convinced of the life we're supposed to live by God's power and that believers should really push to see it become a reality. If God really is who He says He is, then we should experience it, right? Well, I feel we are, so that's really exciting!
Peace to you all.
PS my brother is coming to London next week and he'll be stopping by at ours, which we're really looking forward to!
Anyway, things are going really great in Slough. We are very happy and enjoying our daughter so much. We have had to force ourselves to get into a new rhythm as Suzanne went back to work about a month ago. She's back at the coffee shop in the mornings and does about 4 or 5 aerobics (I'm actually not supposed to call it that) classes a day. This means that I have the baby during the mornings, which is great for bonding, but not so much for productivity. So I'm spending more time working in the evening, etc. I think we're getting there...
Church-wise, things are also really good. There is a real sense of experiencing God in a deeper way, which is totally awesome. I am more and more convinced of the life we're supposed to live by God's power and that believers should really push to see it become a reality. If God really is who He says He is, then we should experience it, right? Well, I feel we are, so that's really exciting!
Peace to you all.
PS my brother is coming to London next week and he'll be stopping by at ours, which we're really looking forward to!
Friday, 26 August 2011
Bye bye oupie and oumie...:(
We have had the privilage of our parents visiting us here in the Uk for 5 weeks now. Man, what a pleasant time we shared. Greg and I felt like we were part time parents, and we loved knowing that our little one is recieving all the love that she can handle in this time of a full house family.
We are also proud owners of a beautiful garden thanks to Dad and Liya's cupboards are back in order, thanks ouma. These grandparents have served us with such abundance in every area, we are left speechless, knowing that no thank you could truely show our gratitude towards their visit here.
I totally get why in some cultures families all live in one house. I believe I would love that. A house where all the parents and the kids live. Obviously some space for just you and your little house hold, but I think that would be ideal. Mmmmm, how could we make this happen....I can just see my dad rolling his eyes at this. I think it would be great!
Liya-Jean has grown so much! 2 Teeth, crawling, and babbling on in her daily routine. She has been so blessed with constant affection and care, shame the poor little thing, won't know what hit her when we are left alone, just the three of us. Its ok though, she too must learn that there are seasons of abundance and seasons of just enough. Our little princess.
August has been a month of adjusting to go back to work for me but in the whole we have had a slow pace month of alot of free time and family moments. I am working at the coffee shop from 8-12 every morning and I am blessed enough to have 3 hours a week permanent aerobic classes. So in September we will have to learn how to plan our time carefully - Liya-Jean will be with Greg in the mornings. May God bless our plans and make them successful.
That was just a quick update, I know we have been promising photo's, watch this space, they will come.
Miss you guys, God bless, bless, bless xxxxx
We are also proud owners of a beautiful garden thanks to Dad and Liya's cupboards are back in order, thanks ouma. These grandparents have served us with such abundance in every area, we are left speechless, knowing that no thank you could truely show our gratitude towards their visit here.
I totally get why in some cultures families all live in one house. I believe I would love that. A house where all the parents and the kids live. Obviously some space for just you and your little house hold, but I think that would be ideal. Mmmmm, how could we make this happen....I can just see my dad rolling his eyes at this. I think it would be great!
Liya-Jean has grown so much! 2 Teeth, crawling, and babbling on in her daily routine. She has been so blessed with constant affection and care, shame the poor little thing, won't know what hit her when we are left alone, just the three of us. Its ok though, she too must learn that there are seasons of abundance and seasons of just enough. Our little princess.
August has been a month of adjusting to go back to work for me but in the whole we have had a slow pace month of alot of free time and family moments. I am working at the coffee shop from 8-12 every morning and I am blessed enough to have 3 hours a week permanent aerobic classes. So in September we will have to learn how to plan our time carefully - Liya-Jean will be with Greg in the mornings. May God bless our plans and make them successful.
That was just a quick update, I know we have been promising photo's, watch this space, they will come.
Miss you guys, God bless, bless, bless xxxxx
Thursday, 14 July 2011
TRUTH
We heard some bad news this week and I am urged to write about it.
I declare a blessing to all who read this to understand this message in its fullness. I hope that you would listen out of respect of my character, knowing that this isn't a light hearted declaration but I am moved by compassion for everyone that I know.
Please, think on this:
About 6months ago, Roy, a man who had a heavy heart, walked past our church one Sunday morning and decided to go inside with the hope that his burdens might be lifted. He was in great need in all areas of life. The church helped him out with some of his physical needs.
Yesterday we heard that Roy had passed away...
This seriously impacted me. I reflected on every time I met Roy. I only new him the last 6months of his life. I had opportunity to speak to him about God, but I didn't, I suppose I wanted a better suited time. And I did not want to offend him in any way.
When we heard that he died I was devastated. If I could turn back time to ask him about his faith I would, but unfortunately I had missed the opportunities I had and I am not sure where he finds himself today. Did he accept the eternal price that was paid for him? We aren't sure. We thought he might have but we didn't make sure. I do not want to find myself in this place again. I do not want to be regretful to anyone I might have known in my life. I love you all so much, you are so important to me. Your destiny matters, your eternal destination matters so much. This letter is a substitute for every time I have neglected to ask any of you about this.
I want you to have clarity and understand the love of God. How He made a way for us to live in connection with Him through His Son, Jesus who died for our sins. We can be in relationship with God while we live here on earth. If you would like to digest this statement, please, contact me, come visit us, email, phone, skype, whatever it takes, let us talk through your doubts, fears and areas you struggle to believe. Or find someone you trust and ask them about it.
I am moved to shout it out on the roof tops. If you chose that the full message of Jesus is not the truth, your eternal destiny will be that of pain and despair, for ever and ever and ever....Eternity will never end.
But for those who have accepted the offering Gods son made to reconnect us to the Father and by doing that it secures our inheritance, our eternity will be forever one of joy, love and peace. A place of rest. A place where God is present in His fullness.
Here in this life, there are never ending benefits to being connected with the One whom created you, so it does not only play a part after death, but seeing that my heart is stirred in the area of the afterlife, I choose to focuss on this in this letter.
If you don't usually think on these things, I urge you to seek the truth today. Please, if you are not convinced, reach out to God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you, He will.
For those of you who would like to grow in your faith, go to the church, that you feel called to and stay there, plant yourself there and grow there, don't leave because of offence. Start learning how to truely love others. The church is filled with people and people are not easy to deal with, but let's start learning how to live in harmony alongside our differences, after all that is what real grown ups do. God wants to reveal Himself to you. He loves you, so much. It is your choice, you have the liberty to choose for Him or against Him but there is no middle ground. And you never know when might be the last time you have the gift of that choice.
God loves you, He created you. He wants you to be in relationship with Him. If you want that, invite Jesus into your life right now. Just ask Him. Jesus, come and live in me. It is that simple. Then start following Him. He will lead you.
I love you all, I pray Gods blessing over you and your family. Over your spiritual freedom and growth. May the grace of God increase in you.
Suzanne
I declare a blessing to all who read this to understand this message in its fullness. I hope that you would listen out of respect of my character, knowing that this isn't a light hearted declaration but I am moved by compassion for everyone that I know.
Please, think on this:
About 6months ago, Roy, a man who had a heavy heart, walked past our church one Sunday morning and decided to go inside with the hope that his burdens might be lifted. He was in great need in all areas of life. The church helped him out with some of his physical needs.
Yesterday we heard that Roy had passed away...
This seriously impacted me. I reflected on every time I met Roy. I only new him the last 6months of his life. I had opportunity to speak to him about God, but I didn't, I suppose I wanted a better suited time. And I did not want to offend him in any way.
When we heard that he died I was devastated. If I could turn back time to ask him about his faith I would, but unfortunately I had missed the opportunities I had and I am not sure where he finds himself today. Did he accept the eternal price that was paid for him? We aren't sure. We thought he might have but we didn't make sure. I do not want to find myself in this place again. I do not want to be regretful to anyone I might have known in my life. I love you all so much, you are so important to me. Your destiny matters, your eternal destination matters so much. This letter is a substitute for every time I have neglected to ask any of you about this.
I want you to have clarity and understand the love of God. How He made a way for us to live in connection with Him through His Son, Jesus who died for our sins. We can be in relationship with God while we live here on earth. If you would like to digest this statement, please, contact me, come visit us, email, phone, skype, whatever it takes, let us talk through your doubts, fears and areas you struggle to believe. Or find someone you trust and ask them about it.
I am moved to shout it out on the roof tops. If you chose that the full message of Jesus is not the truth, your eternal destiny will be that of pain and despair, for ever and ever and ever....Eternity will never end.
But for those who have accepted the offering Gods son made to reconnect us to the Father and by doing that it secures our inheritance, our eternity will be forever one of joy, love and peace. A place of rest. A place where God is present in His fullness.
Here in this life, there are never ending benefits to being connected with the One whom created you, so it does not only play a part after death, but seeing that my heart is stirred in the area of the afterlife, I choose to focuss on this in this letter.
If you don't usually think on these things, I urge you to seek the truth today. Please, if you are not convinced, reach out to God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you, He will.
For those of you who would like to grow in your faith, go to the church, that you feel called to and stay there, plant yourself there and grow there, don't leave because of offence. Start learning how to truely love others. The church is filled with people and people are not easy to deal with, but let's start learning how to live in harmony alongside our differences, after all that is what real grown ups do. God wants to reveal Himself to you. He loves you, so much. It is your choice, you have the liberty to choose for Him or against Him but there is no middle ground. And you never know when might be the last time you have the gift of that choice.
God loves you, He created you. He wants you to be in relationship with Him. If you want that, invite Jesus into your life right now. Just ask Him. Jesus, come and live in me. It is that simple. Then start following Him. He will lead you.
I love you all, I pray Gods blessing over you and your family. Over your spiritual freedom and growth. May the grace of God increase in you.
Suzanne
Saturday, 2 July 2011
Sunny Saturday
Woke up this morning with a beautiful sun kiss. Oh how we love the sun, praise God for the sun!
Yesterday Liya-Jean watched Jan de Wet, Loflaaities and she was super gripped by it. Her first TV experience, she was so fascinated by it. So cute. I will post a video of it soon.
Other than that, we went to a ball the other night, so lovely. We 'danced', well I have to say it like that cause between me and Greg we aren't the best couple to strut our stuff on the dance floor, mmm, maybe we should take some classes...We just had such a good time with our friends, chilling, laughing, eating great food. We have got to do that stuff more often. Let our hair down.
I have been refreshingly reminded that praise is the best way forward. Gratitude, and focusing on the stuff we do have and celebrating life. Let's enjoy life, stop taking it so seriously. I am sure many of us wonder how we can glorify our God more, and I am convinced that this would be the way. Enjoying and celebrating the life He has given us.
Life is good people
We love you guys xxxx
Yesterday Liya-Jean watched Jan de Wet, Loflaaities and she was super gripped by it. Her first TV experience, she was so fascinated by it. So cute. I will post a video of it soon.
Other than that, we went to a ball the other night, so lovely. We 'danced', well I have to say it like that cause between me and Greg we aren't the best couple to strut our stuff on the dance floor, mmm, maybe we should take some classes...We just had such a good time with our friends, chilling, laughing, eating great food. We have got to do that stuff more often. Let our hair down.
I have been refreshingly reminded that praise is the best way forward. Gratitude, and focusing on the stuff we do have and celebrating life. Let's enjoy life, stop taking it so seriously. I am sure many of us wonder how we can glorify our God more, and I am convinced that this would be the way. Enjoying and celebrating the life He has given us.
Life is good people
We love you guys xxxx
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